Atlas V launches from Cape Canaveral with missile detection satellite

An Atlas V rocket sits on the pad at Launch Complex 41 Wednesday evening as the sun goes down. The is scheduled to lift off Thursday evening carrying a missile warning satellite for the US Air Force.(Photo: Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY)Buy Photo

An Air Force ballistic missile warning satellite is set to catch a ride tonight on an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral to an orbit more than 22,000 miles above the equator.

Teams are targeting 7:52 p.m. for the opening of a 40-minute window at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Launch Complex 41. Weather is 90 percent "go," according to a Wednesday forecast issued by the Air Force's 45th Weather Squadron.

The roughly 10,000-pound Space Based Infrared System satellite will join a constellation of three other SBIRS satellites, bolstering the Air Force's ability to detect missile launches and support ballistic missile defense.

There are two parts to our coverage:

Live video of the rocket launch, available here or at our Facebook page;

Coverage kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Sunday on FloridaToday.com/Space and will feature in-depth coverage, photos, charts and more. You can ask the team questions and strike up a conversation. We'll host ULA's live video.

In central Florida?

If you're under clear skies, you can look to the state's east coast to spot Atlas V launch from Cape Canaveral.

If you do step outside for the launch, bring your smartphone and stay tuned to live updates. The coverage is available at FloridaToday.com/Space in your mobile browser

Contact Emre Kelly at aekelly@floridatoday.com or 321-242-3715. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook at @EmreKelly.